Long Draw Road reopens

Long Draw Road in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District, 53 miles up the Poudre Canyon, has opened for winter recreation.

The area had been closed since Aug. 22 due to hazardous tree cutting along the length of the road.

The area is popular in the winter with snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

U.S. Forest Service officials ask those visiting the area to stay on designated roads and trails, and warn there may be hazards, such as stumps and logs, along the side of the road from the cutting operations.

Cutting operations are not complete, but are on hold due to the amount of snow in the area, Reghan Cloudman, spokeswoman for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland, said in a press release.

Operations are expected to restart when conditions allow, closing the area again, she said.

Most of the hazard trees being cut were hit by the mountain pine beetle and will pose a safety hazard if not taken down.

An estimated 80,000 trees will have been cut and most removed when the project is complete, Cloudman said.

For other recreation information on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District this winter, call the Visitor Information Center at 295-6700.